The Effects of Domestic Politics on Foreign Policy Decision Making: a Case Study of Kenya's Foreign Policy

Abstract

Both domestic and international issues shape foreign policy. As such, they are influencing foreign policy decision-making by local and systemic factors. This study examines the effects of domestic politics on foreign policy decision making, focusing on Kenya’s foreign policy as a case study. This was achieved by focusing on three key objectives: investigating the links between local politics and foreign policy decision-making, investigating the role and consequences of domestic politics in Kenya's foreign policy decision-making, and assessing the internal political variables that obstruct Kenya's foreign policy decision-making. Decision-making theory and rational actor model were deployed to analyse the effects of domestic politics on foreign policy decision-making. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative methodologies inculcating in-depth research. The target population of this study was 384 respondents, mainly comprised of foreign policy decision-makers from the ministry of foreign affairs, the president's office, the Statehouse, or Parliament. Further, the study targeted experts in foreign policy, academicians as well as the general public. The researcher considered content analysis and narrative analysis; content analysis calculated and summarized behaviour-based data. The primary qualitative data were analysed using narrative analysis. Quantitative data were examined and presented as tables and pie charts using Microsoft Excel and SPPS software. The study's findings were that the foreign policy decision-making in Kenya is greatly affected by domestic factors. Kenya's domestic political environment comprises statutes, state institutions, and advocacy bodies that affect or limit people or organizations in the country. The political context a president operates in also dictates the choice and the decision making of the president. Often, foreign decisions made by the head of state are influenced by domestic politics. The study recommends that a successful policy formulation process must involve creating and analysing new policy alternatives and the ability to monitor, assess, and examine existing policies as a foundation for their change or discontinuity.